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By now you know my mantra--spinning the invoice printer. However, all large businesses have one department that does not spin the invoice printer--often known as HR. The most charitable thing I can think of to say about the human resources department is that it has the capability of slowing the checkwriter (when it comes to defending the company against lawsuits and so forth).

The paper manufacturing industry has relied upon human-to-machine interaction for hundreds of years. It was sight, sound, smell, feel, and off-line lab tests that drove control moves in the process. I even heard old-school machine tenders tasting paper samples to determine ash content long before the crucibles came out of the oven. Anyone remember back tenders beating the reel with a stick to find hard and soft spots correlating to caliper profiles? If necessary, the subsequent control moves usually involved a human pushing buttons or turning dials or physically messing with valves and actuators. Decades of personal experience drove hiring and promotion decisions to make sure those operator instincts were finely tuned. Meeting production goals depended upon it.

UPM welcomes the European Union's new Bioeconomy Strategy, published today in Brussels, as a decisive move to elevate the bioeconomy as a driver of growth, innovation, and climate neutrality. The strategy reinforces the bioeconomy's central role in revitalizing European industries and boosting competitiveness through renewable and circular solutions.

The installation is one element of a €400m ($463.8m) investment program to boost capacity at the mill.

Clayton Dubilier & Rice is moving forward with a $4.5 billion leveraged loan to facilitate its acquisition of Sealed Air (SEE), as part of a $7.9 billion debt arrangement. This financing, one of the largest recent buyout deals, includes both USD and euro-denominated loans.

German paper and packaging company Palm Group has taken a 50% interest in Power Packaging, which is based in the Czech Republic.

National ranking highlights Quad's exceptional workplace culture.

Smurfit Westrock has been honored with the 2025 Portafolio Award for Corporate Social Responsibility for its A Cauca of Opportunities program--an integrated territorial development model that, for more than 40 years, has worked hand-in- hand with rural and urban communities in the Cauca region to build real, long-term opportunities.

Sealed Air has not announced a replacement.

The investment aims to increase production flexibility, improve fiber processing efficiency, and enable consistent high-quality output in fine paper grades.

Wuzhou Special Paper has selected Valmet to rebuild their paper machine and supply two winders for their mill in Hubei, China.

The agreement covers maintenance, around-the-clock technical support, as well as training and performance monitoring.

The contract is for the supply of PrimeLineTM tissue production line for its mill in São Julião do Tojal.

Borg is currently the Executive Vice President, Chief People & Culture Officer at International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF), a global leader in food, beverage, health, biosciences and sensorial experiences.

50 jobs have been lost after the closure of Saxon Packaging in Lowestoft, which was acquired by Smurfit Kappa (now Smurfit Westrock) in 2016.

Ennis, Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of CFC Print & Mail ("CFC"), a wholesale provider of business‑document printing, mailing and commercial print solutions based in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Under the new setup, Stora Enso will reorganize its businesses into four segments: Consumer Packaging, Integrated Packaging, Biomaterials, and Other, which replaces its current six-segment model.

The €370 million investment doubles the mill's annual tissue paper capacity to 145,000 tonnes, significantly strengthening the local supply of high-quality tissues, like Lambi, Serla, and Katrin products for both consumers and professional customers across Scandinavia.

New agreement signed at COP30 will see organisations collaborating to use artificial intelligence tools for biodiversity monitoring and digital platforms to boost public engagement in conservation efforts.

The Nova Scotia Forestry Innovation Transition Trust is investing $1.8 million to assist private landowners and forest contractors in finding new markets for underutilized wood fibre and to support sustainable forestry management.

With the provincial government making it at least two parties in the process, Macer's bid will be the starting point for an auction to be held Nov. 27. Bids will be required to increase by increments of at least $200,000. If Macer does not win the auction, the company would receive compensation of up to $3.1 million.

Perched atop Alabama's highest peak, the new Cheaha State Park Lodge marks a defining moment for sustainable design and regional craftsmanship.

Södra has been named the winner of Växjö Municipality's Timber Construction Award 2025 for its long-term and sustainable approach to timber construction. The award recognises those driving progress in sustainable building and inspiring continued innovation.

Menasha Corporation is pleased to announce that it is among 25 Wisconsin employers recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for exceptional commitment to hiring and supporting veterans.

Tuomas Arminen has been appointed Mill Manager of Metsä Fibre's Renko sawmill, effective 1 January 2026. Arminen, who has worked in various roles within the sawmill business since 2008, most recently served as the Development Director of sawn timber production.